Father gets 15 years for giving son rifle used in school massacre

A father in Georgia has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in a school shooting that claimed four lives. Colin Gray was found guilty by a jury for allowing his teenage son access to the firearm used in the attack at Apalachee High School.

During the sentencing, Judge Nicholas Primm directly addressed the father, stating, "It is clear that you failed as a parent." The judge emphasized that while the emotional impact of the case was significant, the sentence was based on the law and evidence presented. The son, Colt Gray, 16, had previously received a life sentence without parole for the September 4, 2024, shooting.

Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Colin Gray gifted his son a semi-automatic rifle and ammunition for Christmas, despite the teenager exhibiting deteriorating mental health. Prosecutors argued that Gray ignored numerous warning signs, including his son's online activity expressing obsession with mass shooters and a marked emotional decline in the weeks leading up to the attack.

The boy's mother had reportedly asked her then-husband to restrict their son's access to firearms. The prosecution contended that Colin Gray's actions directly enabled the tragedy. The judge noted that Gray had opportunities to prevent the shooting, stating, "The warning lights were flashing brighter and brighter, and you did not get him help or remove his access to weapons."